Spring 2008

ARA 330L • FOURTH-YEAR ARABIC II

Course Description

This course continues the introduction of issues and themes in contemporary Arab thought through readings by major Arab thinkers and writers. Students will read, listen to, discuss, and write about issues in contemporary Arab society as presented by writers such as Hanan al-Shaykh, Halim Barakat, Ilyas Khouri, Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri. In addition, students will read and discuss important poetry and prose texts from the Arabic literary tradition. Class time will be devoted to discussion and analysis of texts prepared beforehand. Three to four hours of class preparation for each class and attendance at extracurricular events is mandatory. Class hours are supplemented by an additional hour of conversation practice in small groups which focus on developing the ability to combine formal and colloquial Arabic as native speakers do. Graduate course requirements include a term paper to be researched, presented orally, and written in Arabic.

Grading Policy

Undergraduate: Class Preparation and Participation 30%; Exams and Oral Presentations 30%, Writing Portfolio, 20%, Reading Project 20% Graduate: Class Preparation and Participation 25%; Exams and Oral Presentations 30%, Short Papers, 25%, Research Project 20%

Texts

Al-Kitaab fi Ta'allum al-Arabiyya Part III

back